TCU Banquet Canceled, Team Reportedly Suspended For Rest of Semester

There's no news yet on the new coach of the TCU swimming & diving programs, but a local newspaper reports that the team's banquet was canceled, and sources tell SwimSwam that the team has been suspended for the remainder of the semester. Archive photo via Tim Binning/TheSwimPictures.com

There’s no news yet on the new coach of the TCU swimming & diving programs, but a local newspaper reports that the team’s banquet was canceled, and sources tell SwimSwam that the team has been suspended for the remainder of the semester.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram reported earlier this month that Busch was “going to be fired” after allegations that he verbally berated staffers at the TCU rec center, had a physical altercation with an assistant coach and was seen “at local bars drinking and fraternizing with students.” While the Star-Telegram report says swimmers and divers were unhappy with many of the changes Busch put into place, it also says that the team became frustrated with the athletic department’s refusal to give the team any information about why Busch was suspended during during the season:

“They told us nothing,” said one TCU swimmer, who along with three teammates spoke to the Star-Telegram. “They left us to explain the whole thing, and we didn’t know the answer.”

The Star-Telegram report goes on to say that “a series of embarrassing social media posts and behaviors by some members of the team” caused the athletic department to cancel the team’s banquet, which was to happen the weekend of April 7. “The department is frustrated with the team, and the team is frustrated with the department,” the report said.

Now, sources tell SwimSwam that the team is suspended from all athletic activities, including training, for the rest of the semester. Though that’s not as severe as a suspension during competition season, it does impact training in preparation for summer season.

Update: SwimSwam has received conflicting reports, with other sources saying that practice has just been made ‘optional’ for the rest of the academic year. TCU has not responded to our requests to verify the information.

We’re told TCU will announce its new head coach at a team meeting today.

About Jared Anderson

Jared Anderson just can’t stay away from the pool. A competitive career of almost two decades wasn’t enough for this Minnesotan, who continues to get his daily chlorine fix. A lifelong lover of writing, Jared now combines the two passions as Senior Reporter for SwimSwam.com, covering swimming at every level.
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